Running board mat for automobiles



April 16, 1935.

H. D. GEYER RUNNING BOARD MAT FOR AUTOMOBILES Filed May 10, 1933 2 Sheets-sheaf. 1

April 16, 1935. H. D GEYER RUNNING BOARD MAT FOR AUTOMOBILES 2 Sheets-Shet 2 Filed May 10, 1933 INVENTOR v9 D Beyer flwaum WM fi k ATTORNEYS Patented Apr. 16, 1935 U n'Eo STATES 1,998,366 I RUNNING BOARD MAT roa AUTOMOBILES Harvey D.

mesne assignments,

GeyerpDayton, Ohio, assignor, by

to General Motors CorporatlonfDetroit, Mich., a corporation of Delaware 7W Application May 10, 1933, Serial No. 670,243

11 Claims. (Cl. 280-163) This invention relates to automobile running boards and the like, and more particularly to .means for securing the cover mat to the running board proper.

I The object of this invention is to provide a simple and economically made yet very strong and eiiicient cover mat fastening the same to a metal running board. An important feature of the invention is the ease and rapidity which which the cover mat may be originally properly secured in place upon the running board, or removed after a period of use and replaced by a new mat in case it becomes sufliciently worn to render its replacement desirable. In present day automobiles such mats often wear out or become unsightly so as to-need replacement, but presently u'sed means of attaching such mats render such replacement difficult and expensive due in great part to such attaching means being constantly exposed to mud.

water, road tar, etc., and the consequent rust and corrosion thereupon. With the attaching means of this invention there are no threaded or other parts to rust tight and require cutting in two with a chisel to remove the oldmat. The attaching lugs may be simply and quickly straightened out with hand pliers to re-register the shoulders on the lugs with their slots, after.

which the cover mat may be lifted from its running board.

The quick-attaching feature of the mat of this invention is also highly advantageous for .the following reason. The automobiles may be shipped from the assembly plants to the dealers prior to assembling the cover mats upon the running boards and the dealer may quickly and simply attach these mats after the car is otherwise ready for showing. Thus the running boards will be kept new and clean without the needof the usual heavy paper or other covering used for temporarily keeping the running boards unmarred.

Another feature of this invention is the integral resilient rubber cushion buttons adjacent the attaching metal lugs on the under side of the sheet metal foundation of the cover mat, which cushion buttons are highly compressed when the cover mat is clamped down upon the running board-proper by the attaching metal lugs, whereby the attachment is rendered tight and secure regardless of possible small inaccuracies in dimensions of the attachment metal parts.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, reference being had to the accomand improved means for.

panying drawings, ment of one form of the present invention is clearly shown.

In the drawings: I

Fig. 1 is a plan view of acover mat fixed in place upon an automobile running board, according to this invention.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a section taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a section taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 3 and shows the twisted metal lug in elevation.

Fig. 5 shows the attaching parts in juxtaposed relationship at the time of dropping the cover mat down upon the running board.

Fig. 6. is a bottom view of one of the attaching devices on the cover mat, being taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 5.

Fig. '7 is a bottom view of one of the attaching devices on the board, being taken on line of Fig. 5.

Figs. 8 to 11 show a modification.

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 4, but shows a modified form wherein the attaching metal lug .is a separate piece from the metal foundation of the cover mat.

Fig. 9 is a view similar to the right end of Fig. 3 and shows the twisted metal lug in elevation.

lug of Figs. 8 and 9 prior to its insertion in its slot in the cover mat foundation.

Fig. 11 is an end elevation of Fig. 10.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

Reference numeral ill designates the pressed sheet metal running board proper which may be of any suitable design. Figs.- 1 and 2 show the outlines of a pressed metal board it which has a gradually upwardly sweeping front portion H which appears in effect as a continuation of the curve of the front fender attached thereto. Board it also has a downwardly curved longitudinally extending outer edge portion 82, as clearly shown in Fig. 3, which extends the full length thereof. No claim is made herein for this particular form of pressed metal running board per se. This invention comprises the combination of such a pressed metal board with a sheet metal reinforced cover mat therefor.

The cover mat of this invention is designated. as a whole by numeral 55, and comprises a quite flexible sheet metal foundation l6, preferably of steel, upon which is secured a non-metallic covering ll of rubber or other suitable material which may be vulcanized, cemented, or otherwise suit wherein a preferred embodiably fastened to the foundation 1 6.

In the form illustrated in the drawings the cover I! is of flexible rubber which is molded and 5 vulcanized directly upon the steel foundation I5 and is thereby firmly surface bonded thereto during its vulcanization. The foundation is formed with upwardly turned margins, as shown at IS in Fig. 3, which margins l8 are imbedded and en- 10 tirely surrounded by the marginal beads I 9 of flexible rubber. These marginal beads l9 are originally molded with an integral downwardly inclined somewhat flexible rubber lip which projects below the bottom surface of the-metal l5 foundation I6. Then when the finished cover mat i5 is pressed down upon the upper surface of board ID, as will be described in greater detail hereinbelow, these rubber lips 20 will be forced into very tight contact. with the metal board In 20 and thereby provide a neat water-tight joint extending all around the periphery of the, cover mat l5. n s

Figs. 3 to 6 illustrate a form of the invention wherein the sheet metal foundation I5 has a top surface of the metal series of integral dependingsattaching lugs 25,

which are cut out of the sheet metal l5 leaving a hole of the shape-shown at 26 in Fig. 6 after the lug 25 is bent down at right" angles.- These lugs 25 each has an enlarged lower portion 21 and 30 two opposed upwardly facing shoulders 28, as indicated by the shape of the hole 26 in Fig.6. ,The sheetsteel board ID has a series of integraf depressions or cups 30 pressed in the metal thereof, the centers of these cups 30 being punched out to form a round hole 3| with a narrow slot 32 extending thereacross. Each fiat lug 25 is inserted straight down through the slot 32, as clearly shown in Fig. 5, and pressed down until the shoulders 28 thereon lie substantially flush with the bottom of the 'cup 30.- The projecting head 21, of lug 25 may then be grasped with hand-pliers or other suitable tool and the lug 25 twisted at right angles to cause both its shoulders 28. to engage the under side of cup 30 and firmly clamp the cover mat l5 to the board In (see Fig. 4) Preferablythe bottom of each cup 30 is formed with two small inclined cams 35 (see Figs. 5 and 7) so arranged that when lugs 25 aretwisted theshoulders 28 will first engage these inclined cams 35,

5 and as the twisting proceeds the shoulders 28 are t cammed'downwardly a small distance so that the clamping pfssurbetween the steel foundation l6 and board It is increased. This camming action is highly advantageous for two reasons,

namely: (1) A very-tightly clamped relation between foundation IG and board Ill is easily ob--' tained thereby; and (2) great accuracy of dimensions of the lugs 25 and cups 30 is rendered unnecessary since-the shoulders 28 bn the lugs need not lie exactlyflush with the 'under side of cups 30 when the twisting operation is begun.

Preferably a resilient cushion between foundation It and board Ill adjacent each lug 25 is provided by integral small rubber buttons I]! on the 5 under sideof foundation I6. Fig. 6 illustrates one arrangement of the location of these buttons -30. Buttons 40 may be conveniently molded integral with the rubber covering "by having small holes II in lo datfon l5 through which a neck 70 of rubber extends, asclearly shown in Figs. 3 to 5.

These buttons lll are highly compressed when the cover mat is clamped do in place upon board III as above described, and ence they serve to maintain the clamped relation tight by pro- 75 viding a certain amount of yieldability thereto.

Preferably a layer 2| of heavy tar paper or similar material is laid upon the top of board It before the 'cover mat I5 is placed thereupon. This layer 2| provides a filling for the space caused by the buttons 40 and also prevents any possible squeaking which might be caused by foundation l5 and board I0 rubbing together.

Figs. 8 to 11 illustrate a modified form of the invention wherein separate metal lugs 25' as shown in detail in Figs. 10 and 11, are provided 10 instead of forming these attaching lugs integral with the foundation It as described above.- These lugs 25 are first formed from sheet metal by stamping out the blanksand pressing to the form illustrated in Figs. 10 and 11. These lugs 25' are attached to the foundation it by inserting each lug snugly through an elongated slot therein until its flanges 50 rest thereupon, after which the projections 5| are staked or riveted over at the ends of the slot on the under side of foundation l6 (see Fig. 9), When the rubber covering I1 is later molded upon foundation I 8' the flanges 50 are obviously completely concealed. In order to provide a proper thickness of rubber ll abovefianges 50, preferably foundation I5 is provided with a depression 49 therein equal in depth to the thickness of flanges 50 (see Figs. 8 and 9). The lugs 25' are inserted through the slots 32 in the cups 30 in board l0 and then twisted at right angles to firmly clamp the cover mat l5 to board In in the same manner as described in detail above. It will be noted that the round holes 3| are large enough to permit the turning therein in an easy spiral of the neck' portion 52 of the lugs 25'. Thus there will be no severe tearing strains put upon these neck portions and they can be easily twisted to properly engage, the shoulders 28' under the bottom edges of cups 30 on board III, as described above. 7 It has been found preferable to vulcanize the 40 rubber covering I] to the steel foundation I or I 5' while it is still in flat form to produces a flat cover mat as shown by the dotted line extensiomthereo'f in Fig. 3. This simplifies the form of the *vulcanizing mold and thus reduces cost 45 of manufacture. The flat cover mat may be then shaped in suitable dies approximately to the curved form shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the rubber covering being sufliciently flexible and resilient permit such curving without cracking or other- 50 wise harming the rubber. Since the finished -un-\ attached cover mat is still flexible to quite a degree it is not necessary that the curved form of the mat be'shaped by the dies mentioned above to conform accurately to the curved' form 55 of the board It since it may be easily flexed or warped during its attachment to the board to provide thenecessary fitting. This applies particularly to the upwardly sweeping curvegiveri the forward portion of board In since the finished mat may be flexed to provide for this upward sweep without pre-forming. While the form of embodiment of the present invention as herein disclosed, constitutes a preferred form, .it is to be understood that other 'forms might be adopted, all coming within the scope of the claims which follow.

What is claimed is as follows: 1. In combination, a pressed metal runnin board for an automobile, a cover mat for said I running board comprising a sheet metal foundation and a non-metallic covering bonded thereto, said metal foundation having a series of'depending metal lugs each having two opposed upwardly facing shoulders thereon, said board having a two upwardly facing shoulders thereon, said plate series of cams on its lower surface and a slot through each cam through which one of said depending lugs extends until its shoulders lie substantially flush with the adjacent under side of said cam, each of said flat lugs being twisted to cause its shoulders to engage said cam and said foundation down upon the upper face of said running board.

2. In combination; a pressed metal running board for an automobile, a cover mat for said running board comprising a sheet metal foundation and a non-metallic covering bonded thereto, said foundation having a series of metal attachment lugs depending therefrom, eachlug having two opposed upwardly facing shoulders thereon, said board having a series of integral small depressions pressed therein, each depression having in its bottom a hole sufliciently large to receive and permit the turning therein of the neck portion of said lugs and a slot across said hole sufficiently long to receive the full width of said lugs, said lugs being twisted after insertion through said slots to cause said shoulders to tightly engage the under side of said small depressions so as to clamp said foundation upon said board.

3. In combination, a pressed metal running board' for an automobile, a cover mat for said running board comprising a sheet metal foundation and a non-metallic covering bonded thereto, said foundationha'ving a series of metal attachment lugs depending therefrom, each lug having two opposed upwardly facing shoulders thereon, said board having a series of integral small depressions pressed therein, each depression having a slot therein adapted to receive one of said lugs and having a cam surface on its under side adjacent said slot, said lugs being twisted after -lugs depending therefrom, each lug having an upwardly facing shoulder thereon, said plate having a series of cams on its lower surface and a hole adjacent each cam through which one of said depending lugs extends in such manner that the shoulder thereon will engage said cam upon the relative lateral movement thereof, each of said lugs having a projecting portion which may be grasped with a suitable tool whereby the shoulder portion thereof can be moved laterally to en'- gage the adjacent cam and thereby clamp said foundation tightly against the pressed metal plate.

5. In combination, a pressed metal plate, a cover mat therefor comprising a sheet metal foundation and a non-metallic covering bonded thereto, said foundation having a series of metal each lug having two opposed upwardly facing shoulders thereon, said plate having a series of cams on its lower surface and a slot adjacent each of said cams through which one of said depending lugs extends in such manner that said shoulders will engage the cam upon a relative rotation of said shoulders, and means permitting the relative'rotation of said shoulders to tightly clamp said foundation against said plate.-

6. In combination, a pressed metal plate, a. cover mat therefor comprising a sheet metal foundation and a non-metallic covering bonded thereto, said foundation having a series of flat metal lugs depending therefrom, each lug having clamp as to receive and permit the turning therein of the neck portion of said lugs and a slot across said hole sufficiently long to receive the full width of said flat lugs, said lugs being twisted after insertion through said slots to cause said shoulders to tightly engage the under side of said depres- 'sions so as to clamp said foundation upon said metal plate.

7. In combination, a base plate, a cover plate therefor, means for clamping said cover plate upon said base plate, said means comprising: a series of flat metal lugs projecting from said cover plate each' having two upwardly facing shoulders thereon, a registering series of small depressions pressed into said base plate,. each depression having in its bottom a hole sufficiently large to receive and permit the turning therein of the neck portion of said lugs and a slot across said hole sufliciently long to receive the full width of said flat lugs, said lugs being twisted after insertion through said slots to cause said shoulders to tightly engage the bottoms of said depressions so as to clamp said cover plate against said base plate.

8. In combination, a base plate, a cover plate therefor, means for clamping said cover plate upon said base plate, said means comprising: a series of distortable metal lugs depending from said cover plate, each lug having an upwardly facing shoul der thereon, said base plate having a series of cams on its lower face and a hole adjacent each cam said lugs being twisted by distortion of the metal thereof to cause the shoulder thereon to engage the adjacent cam and thereby clamp said cover plate against said base plate.

9. In an automobile having a chassis frame,in combination, a pressed metal running board having a curved step surface and extendingalongside the chassis frame and fixed thereto, a flexible cover matv for said curved step surface comprising a flexible sheet metal foundation and a flexible rubber covering bonded thereto, said foundation having a series of spaced depressions pressed in the metal thereof, each depression having a narrow slot therein, and a separate metal attachment lug for each depression, said lugs each having an upper flange lying within the depression and covered by said rubber covering and a flat depending portion projecting snugly through the slot therein, said metal board having a series of holes therein through which said flat depending portions project and means for securing the projecting ends of said flat depending portions against withdrawal from said holes.

10. In an automobile having a chassis frame, in combination, a pressed metal running board having a curved step surface-and extending alongside the chassis frame and fixed thereto, a flexible cover mat for said curved step surface comprising a flexible sheet metal foundation and a flexible rubber covering bonded thereto, said foundation having a series of spaced depressions pressed in the metal thereof, each depression having a narrow slot therein, and a separate metal attachment lug for each depression, said lugs each having an' upper flange lying Within'the depression and covered by said ing portion; projecting snugly through the slot therein, said metal board having a series of holes therein through which said flat depending portions project, the projecting ends of said flat derubber covering and a flat depend- 4 1,oos, asc

lug for each depression, said lugs each having an upper flange lying within the depression and covered by said rubber covering and a flat dependim portion projecting snugly through the slot therein. said metal board having a series of pockets pressed in the metal thereof into which said foundation depressions extend, each pocket 1 having a hole therein through which said flat de- 9 4 8 portions project, and means for securing the projecting ends of said depending portions 10 against upward withdrawal from said holes.

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